PIT BULL ATTACKS WOMAN ON SUBWAY SPARKS CONCERNS FOR RIDERS
By Caitlin Sinclair
New York City police have arrested the owner of a pit bull that attacked a woman on a subway ride during a dispute. Passengers recorded the Tuesday incident and the video went viral. The argument began when the owner allowed his dog to take a seat on the crowded #4 train, the victim objected and pushed the dog, according to witnesses.
The footage displays a man yanking his dog’s leash as the pit bull has his mouth around a woman’s foot.
The strife only ended when the woman took her own foot out of her shoe, which the owner later threw back at her before exiting the train.
In New York, only service animals are permitted on the subways. All other animals must be in a cage or “carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers,” reads the MTA transit rules.
“There is something wrong when a dog has more rights in New York City than a paying passenger,” expressed Juliette Ellis, a everyday rider who has her own two pit bulls at home.
“I would never imagine bringing my dogs even near a platform, that is just like asking for chaos, let alone breaking the rules.”
As listed on the MTA website, “no person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers.”
It was later proven that the owners dog was, in fact, a service dog. However, New Yorkers felt that this freakish episode poses questions on the definition of a service dog.
One Manhattan resident, who prefered to remain anonymous, has a Golden Retriever service dog of his own. “It’s not common for a service animal to ever attack another person”
Worried that incidents like this, will ruin it for those like himself, with legitimate disabilities, he says, “A true service animal is held to incredibly high standards and expected to be nothing more than an extension of their owner, a tool that helps it’s owner live a full life in spite of challenges or disability. The fact the dog attacked is suspicious of poor training.”
Some riders feel this is a common headache.
Zendaya Ashanti says she was not surprised when she saw this viral story. “It is actually a very real problem. I have seen dozens of homeless men bring their pit bulls or ferocious dogs with them and people are just too afraid to say anything Usually, they have a pit bull or ferocious dog with them and people cannot say anything.”
Ashanti’s classmate Iyana, said she has no problem respecting service dogs who are not “beastly.” Subway’s are mad houses to begin with, and now we must deal with giant rottweilers, goats, pigs, pit bulls and other so called service dogs?” she asks, “ We all need to come back to reality of what is socially appropriate.”
“I do not care for dogs in public spaces,” said 60 year old Lisa Zo who rides the the subway at least 6 times a day. Dog owners need to stop trying to force everyone else to be okay with their animals in any setting”
“I have empathy for her not wanting the dog on the seat next to her as I know it makes me uncomfortable to have random, big dogs close to me, especially sitting on a bench next to me” Zo exclaimed.
Others are not as sympathetic for the victim.
“I really don’t feel bad for this woman,” voiced Jenna Vinci. “We get it there are people there who could have used to seat, but to most people a dog is like family and I know in my house my pup gets a seat at the dinner table.”
